Proactively managing change in Skagit County

By: Bev Faxon

When Home Rule Skagit promoted a charter form of county government in 2018 to replace the commissioner system, opponents countered, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

The two incumbent commissioners running for office opposed a charter. They argued that things must not be broken, because they traditionally ran unopposed. This November, both face challengers. Maybe this means something IS broken? Or maybe this is democracy: choice at the ballot box, a chance to evaluate our government.

Covid-19 illustrates one government role – to create policies and provide fact-based infor...